Muscat – Development and investment projects worth more than RO1bn were unveiled as the Oman Home & Building Expo opened at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre on Monday coinciding with World Habitat Day 2026.

A total of 20 partnership, development and tender agreements were signed or awarded during the opening ceremony, covering residential, tourism and service projects in several parts of the sultanate.

The agreements span major developments including Sultan Haitham City, A’Thuraya City, Khazaen Economic City, Musandam and residential projects being developed under the Sorouh programme.

The event, organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning in partnership with UN-Habitat, brings together developers, investors, policymakers and urban planning specialists from Oman and around the world to discuss the future of housing and rapidly growing cities.

The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of H E Sheikh Abdulmalik bin Abdullah Al Khalili, Chairman of the State Council, and coincided with Oman hosting World Habitat Day 2026 under the theme ‘Adequate Housing for All’.

Among the major agreements announced was a construction tender worth more than RO12mn for a rehabilitation complex for persons with disabilities and an elderly care home in Sultan Haitham City.

Another tender, valued at more than RO14mn, was awarded for the diversion of the wadi channel along the eastern boundary of Al Barakah Palace in Sultan Haitham City. An agreement was also signed to develop a sports and wellness trail within the city.

A RO45mn development agreement was signed for a residential neighbourhood comprising 220 units in A’Thuraya City, while another agreement worth RO55mn covers two neighbourhoods with 265 residential units. A consultancy tender worth RO4.5mn was also awarded for the detailed masterplan of Phase 3.

The Sorouh programme accounted for eight residential development agreements with a combined investment value of RO186.6mn, providing 2,443 residential units across several governorates.

Projects include developments in Bidbid, Bahla, Nizwa, Al Buraimi, Al Rustaq, Suhar, Bausher and Taqah, highlighting the government’s focus on expanding housing options beyond the capital and supporting integrated communities across Oman.

A RO50mn agreement was signed for an integrated residential neighbourhood in Khazaen Economic City. Two tenders worth a combined RO5mn were awarded for a government school and health centre under the Kumzar Residential Masterplan in Musandam.

The expo opening also featured agreements for major tourism developments, including the Sultan Qaboos Port Waterfront Project, Al Bandar Project and Yenkit Hills, further linking urban development with Oman’s growing tourism sector.

Additionally, the opening ceremony saw the signing of an Oman–Türkiye memorandum of understanding on housing and urban planning, strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the sector.

The World Habitat Day programme featured the participation of Anacláudia Rossbach, UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat, alongside officials and housing and urban planning specialists from several countries.

The expo features more than 200 exhibitors from 50 countries, over 65 real estate developers, more than 100 urban planning experts and leaders, and more than 20 SMEs.

The four-day programme will focus on emerging and fast-growing cities, adequate housing, homeownership, urban regeneration, public spaces and the development of inclusive, connected and liveable communities.

The programme also includes international experiences from cities including Seoul, Medellín and Rotterdam, alongside discussions on Muscat’s urban development, public transport and future housing needs.

The event runs till October 8 as part of Urban October, with the final day featuring a closing ceremony and awards, including the Oman Society of Engineers Hackathon Awards.